Mouse treks through virtual maze using a trackball

It seems some lab rats mice have all the fun. Recently Princeton University Neuroscientists were posed with the dilemma of trying to measure the neurons of mice while running through a maze. Problem was, the mice moved around too much in order to get a good reading.

In order to solve this problem, the scientists developed a system where the mouse is collared onto a floating trackball and is allowed to run a projected virtual maze created using the Quake 2 engine. As you will see in the video, the mouse seems to take to his artificial surroundings quite naturally as he scurries along the virtual floor and the scientists were able to measure his brain neurons as he moved about.

Might I suggest that all the little fella needs now is some training along with a miniature keyboard and he might be ready take on a few Quake 2 challengers. That may be a few years off, however.